Improvement in clasps for pocket-books



Artur.-. r

LOUIS MESSER, or new roan, n. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR POCKET-BOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165, l 10, dated J une 29, 1870 application filed May 26, 1%.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS MESSER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clasps for Pocket-Books and other Articles, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical central section. Fig.2is an inverted plan. Fig. 3 is aplan or top view. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the spring-cap detached.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in a cap provided with a radiating tail-piece, and with laterallyprojecting arms, in combination with a supporting-plate provided with a chamber for the reception of saidlaterally-projecting arms, and with a stud and a spring, the latter being made to act on the tail of the cap in such a manner that both the supporting'plate and the cap can be readily st unped out of sheet metal; and when the arms of the cap are placed in the chamber of the supporting-plate and the spring is applied, the cap can be raised or allowed to follow the action of said spring when it is depressed against the stud, and, by causing the closing-flap of a pocket-book or other similar article to catch over said stud and depressing the cap, a cheap, convenient, and neat clasp is obtained.

1n the drawing, the letter A designates the supporting-plate of my clasp, which is stamped out of sheet metal, and providedwith spurs a and with a chamber, b. Said spurs serve to secure the supporting-plate to the body of a pocket-book or other similar article, and the chamber 1) is open at the bottom, and serves to receive arms 0, which project laterally from the cap B. In the upper surface of the sup porting'plate is secured a stud, d, which is extended to engage with holes in the closing-flap of the pocket-book or other article to which it may be attached. The cap B is stamped out of sheet metal,andit is provided with a radiating tail, 6, which extends between the arms 0, so that when said arms are placed in the chamher I) and a pressure is brought to bear on the tail e from below, the cap is caused to turn down upon the stud.

underside of the supporting-plate, and brought to bear upon the tail 6, said tail being so formed that when the cap is raised clear up against the action of the spring f it will be retained in position by the pressure of the spring on the tail and by the arms a, and if the cap is allowed to turn down it will be depressed upon the stud d.

When the supporting-plate is fastened to the body of a pocket-book or other similar article, and the closing-flap thereof is caused to engage with the stud d, the cap being raised in order to allow of introducing the same, said closing-flap will be prevented from becoming disengaged as soon as the cap is turned down upon the stud d.

If desired, the spring f may be made to bear upon the arms 0, and a sliding motion may be given to the cap B, so that when the same is moved back it will be thrown open by the action of the spring, and when it is moved forward it will be closed down.

This modification I have represented in Figs. 5 and 6, Fig. 5 showing the clasp when closed, and Fig. 6 when open.

It will be readily seen that by this arrangement a simple, neat, convenient, and durable clasp is produced.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The cap B, provided with a radiating tail, 6, and laterally-projecting arms 0, said tail and arms being made out of one and the same piece of sheet metal with the cap, in combination with a chamber, 1), formed in the supportilg-plate A, and with a spring, f, and stud d,

all constructed and operating substantially in the manner shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of May, 1875.

LOUIS MESSER. [L. s]

Witnesses:

SIMON ZINN, W. HAUFF.

This pressure is produced by a sprin g, f, which is secured to the 

